Message numbering device



Oct. 7', 1952 R HALVORSEN MESSAGE NUMBERING DEVICE Filed July 9, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mq-rON-O INVENTOR RALPH H. HALVORSEN TTORNEY Oct. 7, 1952 Filed July 9, 1949 R. H. HALVORSEN MESSAGE NUMBERING DEVICE FIG. 2

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INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 7, 1952 MESSAGE NUMBERING DEVICE Ralph H. Halvorsen, Chicago, 111., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application July 9, 1949, Serial No. 103,769

12 Claims.-

This invention relates to telegraph transmitting apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for introducing message numbering signals in ac-v companiment with consecutive messages.

In telegraph offices of the present day it has become common practice to identify messages with numerical identification. Obviously it is most convenient that the identifyin numbers on consecutive messages be consecutive numbers. As can be seen readily when consecutive numbers are utilized to number and identify consecutive messages the handling of these messages is facilitated considerably. At the receiving station it is easy for an operator to scan a group of messages which have been received, perhaps during the preceding twelve or twenty-four hour period, and readily ascertain if one or more of the consecutively numbered messages have not been received. If it happens to be the custom to maintain a file of received messages the identifying numbers on each message will facilitate the maintenance of such a file.

At telegraph transmitting stations it has become rather general practice, where the practice is to identify each transmitted message, to utilize the consecutive number method of identification. Devices are known which are capable of generating consecutive numeral identification signals and then inserting such signals in consecutive messages. Thus the operations necessary for inserting the identification signals into the messages at the transmitting station are rendered automatic. If, after any message bearing such an identifying number, such message is improperly received at its point of destination, it is a relatively simple matter to locate the copy of the message retained by the transmitting station by means of the identifying number appearing thereon and retransmit the message.

In certain communication systems it has become the practice to print messages on forms of uniform length. Such practice greatly facilitates the handling of such messages. When such forms are being utilized obviously they render themselves readily adaptable to the practice of numeral identification. When messages are received on standard length forms it has been found that occasionally certain messages require more printing space than is provided on a single form. Under such conditions it is desirable that each. form bearing any portion of the message also bear the same identifying number. With the numbering transmitters in use at the present time this cannot be readily accomplished due to the fact that they automatically transmit consecutive numbers with each operation, and are not adapted for transmitting the same number more than once. The desirability of inserting the same identifying number on each form bearing parts of a single message has been referred to merely for the purpose of illustrating the need for a device by which it is possible to generate and transmit either the same number signal during successive operations of the device or consecutive number signals during successive operations thereof.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a message numbering device whereby either the same number may be transmitted successively or consecutive numbers may be transmitted successively.

Another object of the invention is to provide a message numbering device which responds to the completion of one circuit by transmitting a number which is the same as the last previously transmitted number and which responds to the completion of another circuit by transmitting the next consecutive number following the last number previously transmitted.

In general the invention employs a plurality of coded drums, one of which is a control drum or cam and the rest of which are coded with numeral designations. In the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein there are five numeral code drums which thus enable transmission of digits in the units, tens, hundreds, thousands, and ten thousands, positions. Stepping means are provided which step the units code drum during each operation. The tens code drum is stepped once each time the units code drum is stepped ten times, the hundreds code drum is stepped once each time the tens code drum is stepped ten times. etc. There is a sequence cam provided for controlling the successive transmission of the digits as determined by the ten thousands, thousands, hundreds, tens, and units code drums. When a first circuit is closed a number corresponding to an existing setting of the numeral code drums is transmitted, and when a second circuit is closed the stepping means is actuated to advance the code drums to a position corresponding to the next consecutive number and a number corresponding to this new setting of the code drums is transmitted.

Having in mind the objects and features of the invention already referred to other objects and advantages will present themselves and the invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the numbering transmitter forming the subject matter of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. l, but also showing the sequence .cam; I

4' is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l'& of Fig. 1, and showing the gearing mechanism used in the invention;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 showing the stepping mechanism for the numbering cams;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 1 showing the stop detents for the numbering cam stepping shaft and the main transmitter cam sleeve;

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of any one of the numbering cams;

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of the control cam;

Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of the sequence cam;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary isometric view of a stepping ratchet for one of. the numbering cams; and Fig. 11 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical circuits in the invention. 4

Referring now to the drawings a base it is provided to which a pair of end plates i7 and I8 aresecured. A top plate 15 is suitably secured to the end plates I! and IS. A pair of supporting plates 2! and 22 are also secured suitably to the base It and top plate It. A shaft 23 is mounted suitably for rotation in a .pair of journals (not shown). in the plates i? and it, and carries a power gear 24. I Secured to the shaft 23 are a pair of drive members 28 and 2? of a pair of clutches'28 and 2.9 of thetype shown in Figs. 3 and 3A in thecopending U. S. patent application of G; G. Keyes, Serial No. 786,171, filed November 15, 1947. The clutch 28 has a driven member 3% which is secured to a sleeve 30 rotatable relative to the shaft 23. The clutches 28 and 23 each are provided with their individual control magnets 32 and 33 with which armatures Mend 3E5 cooperate respectively. The armature 34'is so. designed as to control a pair of pawls 37 and 38 which engage the drive member 26. The pawls 3?, and 38 are secured pivotally to the driven member 3! and upon energization of the magnet 32 and consequent pulling up of thearmature 342 the pawls 3'! and 38 are released and permitted to engage the drive member 25.

Upon the completion of a revolution of the driven member 35, with the magnet 32 deenergized, the armature 34' blocks further rotation of the driven member 3! by disengaging the pawls 3'! and 38 from the'drive member 25. A cam 39 mounted integrally on the sleeve 39 is provided with a single tooth M with which a follower detent 42, mounted pivotally on a bolt 83, cooperates. A spring 44 urges the detent 42 counterclockwise continuously against the cam 39. When'the armature 3 engages the driven member Si, upon completion of a revolution thereof, there isa tendency for the sleeve 36 and driven member 3! to bounce in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation. The detent 42 slips over the tooth ll just as the armature 3 stops rotation 'of e the driven member 3i and therefore engages the tooth 4i when the driven member tends to bounce,'thereby preventing the bounce and retaining the driven member 3| in a position whereby the pawls 31 and 38 are prevented from engaging the drive member 26.

The sleeve 30 has the usual series of five transmitting cams 45 and a start stop cam 41. Each of these cams 46 and 47 has a cut out portion 58, the cut out portions 48 in each cam being spaced relatively in order to enable the generation of signals comprising five equal length impulses and a stop impulse. A series of gooseneck levers 49 are mounted pivotally on a shaft 5!, which shaft 5| is mounted suitably on a support 52 secured to the base It. Each of the gooseneck levers 39 has a follower 53 which cooperates with the corresponding cam 46 or 4?. Each of the gooseneck levers 69 cooperates with a movable spring contact 54. The spring contacts 54 are all insulated from each other, being mounted in an insulator block 58 secured to the support 52, and constantly tend to move counterclockwise towards corresponding stationary contacts 5'! also mounted in the insulator block 56. The spring conta'cts 54 are constantly in engagement with the corresponding gooseneck levers 49 and thus retain the followers 53in engagement with the cams 4E and 411 A shaft 58 is mounted rotatably in the end plate I! and supporting plate 2! and has a sleeve 59 rotatable therewith. The sleeve 39 has a gear 6| having a single tooth 62 which meshes with a six toothed gear 63 secured to the sleeve 59 and therefore the sleeve 59 completes a revolution upon each six'revolutions of the sleeve 39. A gear 64 mounted on the sleeve 59, rotatable with the gear 63, meshes with a gear 83 secured to a sequence cam shaft 61, the shaft 6? being rotatably mounted in the end plates H and I8 and in the supporting plates 2i and 22. It willbe obvious that the sleeve 59 is rotated in a stepped manner due to the eifect oft-he single tooth 62 in engaging the teeth of the/six toothed ear 63. a

The drive member 2? of the clutch 29 is adapted to drive a driven member 68 secured to a shaft 639 mounted rotatably in the end plate 18 and supporting plate 22. The armature 3B of the magnet 33 cooperates with a pair of pawls H and 72 mounted pivotally on the driven member 68 in the same manner as the armature 34 cooperates With the pawls 37 and 3S. and thereby controls the rotation of the driven member 68. A cam 13 having but a single tooth T4 is secured to the shaft 69 and has a cooperating detent l5 mounted pivotally on a bolt Ti securedto the supporting plate 22. The detent I6 is spring urged counterclockwise by a spring #8 so as to engage the cam 73 continuously. When the armature 36 is reieased by the magnet 33 While the driven member 68 rotates, the armature 36 engages the driven member just as the detent 7E overrides the tooth 1 3. Therefore the tooth 74 in cooperation with the detent 1B prevents any bounce of the driven member, 58 when it is stopped by the armature 36.

The shaft 653 has a group of eccentrics 3| secured thereto which rotate whenever the shaft '39 makes a revolution. A block 82 provided for each eccentric 8! is urged clockwise by individual springs 83, thus continuously urging a. pawl 3*! towards acorresponding ratchet 83011 each one of a set of numbering code drums Ell-95. The numbering code drums i i-4:5 are all mounted rotatably on a shaft 8? secured in the end plate 18 and supporting plate 22. Each of the numbering code drums 91-95 is maintained in the proper spaced alignment on the shaft 8'1 by spacer collars 88, and each is provided with one of the ratchets 89, while the drums 91-90 are also provided with cams 89 having but a single notch 96 therein. Each of the code drums 91-95 is rotatable individually on the shaft 81.

The code drums 91-95 represent respectively the units, tens, hundreds, thousands, and ten thousands code drums. With each complete rotation of the shaft 69, the eccentrics 81 oscillate the pawls 84 to the left (Fig. 5) and back to the right as shown. Invariably the pawl 84 cooperating with the ratchet 80 on the units code drum 91 advances the units code drum 91 a step with each rotation of the shaft 89. The pawl 84 that cooperates with the ratchet 85 on the tens code drum 92 also rides the cam 89 on the units code drum 91. Due to the fact that there is but one notch 96 in this cam 89 it is readily obvious that the pawl 84 is ineffective to advance the tens code drum 92 during rotation of the shaft 69 except when the notch 96 is aligned with the pawl 84 so as to enable the pawl to engage a tooth of the ratchet 86 on the tens code drum 92. Each of the code drums 91 -90 is provided with a single notched cam 89 and as there are ten teeth in each of the ratchets 86, it is clear that the units code drum 91 is stepped ten times for each step of the tens code drum 92, that the tens code drum 92 is stepped ten times for each step of the hundreds code drum 93, that the hundreds code drum 93 is stepped ten times for each step of the thousands code drum 94, and that the thousands code drum 94 is stepped ten times for each step of the ten thousands code drum 95. Each of the code drums 91-95 is retained in each of its stepped positions by means of detents 91 secured pivotally to brackets 98 afiixed to the top plate 19 and urged towards the ratchets 86 by individual springs 99.

Mounted on the shaft 9'1 is a sequence cam 101 which is stepped with the gear 66 also mounted on the shaft 61. The sequence cam 101 is for the purpose of controlling the sequence of operation of the code drums 91-95. Fig. 9 shows schematically the cutout portions of the sequence earn 101. The blackened spots in the diagram of Fig. 9 represent the cutout portions of the sequence cam 101.

The code drums 91-95 are each associated with five'gooseneck followers 102. The gooseneck followers 102 corresponding to each of the code drums 91-95 are mounted suitably in groups on bolts 103 positioned securely in brackets 104. Each of the gooseneck levers 102 is provided with follower lugs 106 and 101 which cooperate respectively with the sequence cam 101 and the corresponding code drum 91-95. The code drums 91-95 are each notched according to the pattern shown in Fig. 7 (the blackened spots representing cutout portions) which corresponds to the Baudot code for the numerical digits zero to nine. When the sequence cam 101 occupies its Zero position, since there are no notches therein opposite any of the lugs 106 at this time, all of the gooseneck followers 102 are held in the position shown in Fig. 3. When the sequence cam 101 is stepped to its No. 1 position, notches in the cam 101 are presented opposite the lugs 105 on all the followers 102 associated with the ten thousands drum 95, and thus under this condition the ten thousands code drum 95 controls the clockwise pivotal movement of these followers 102. In the No. 2 position of the sequence cam 101, the notches therein are opposite the followers 102 associated with the thousands code drum 9|. Likewise the sequence cam 101 permits the hundreds code drum 93 to control its associated followers 102 when the earn 101 occupies its No. 3 position; the tens code drum 92 is permitted to control its associated followers 102 when the cam 101 occupies its No. 4 position; and the units code drum 91 is permitted to control its associated followers 102 when the cam 101 occupies its No. 5 position.

Each of the gooseneck followers 102 controls the position of a movable spring contact member 108 which is mounted suitably in an insulator block 109 secured to the base 18. The spring contact members 108 tend continuously to move towards associated stationary contact members 1 11 also mounted suitably in the insulator block 109. Any spring contact member 108 is permitted to close against its corresponding sta tionary contact member 111 whenever the associated gooseneck follower 102 is permitted to move clockwise, which occurs only when both lugs 10B and 101 on such follower are opposite notches in the sequence cam 101 and one of the code drums 91-95 respectively.

The sleeve 59 is notched in a manner as shown in Fig. 8 and serves as a control cam or drum. A group of seven gooseneck levers 112 are provided which cooperate with the control cam 59, and are like the gooseneck levers 102 except that no lug is provided which is similar to the lug 106 on the gooseneck levers 102. The two gooseneck levers 112 in the furthest leftward positions (Figs. 1 and 2) are strictly control levers whereas the remaining five gooseneck levers 112 in the rightward positions are utilized for the generation of signals. Each of the five gooseneck levers 112 in the rightward position is mounted pivotally on a bolt 103 secured in' one of the brackets 104 and each is associated with a spring contact 108. The spring contacts 108, cooperable with the five rightward gooseneck levers 112, tend continuously to move clockwise and thereby engage their associated stationary contact members 1 1 1.-

For convenience in the description of the circuit shown in Fig; 11 the spring contact member and stationary contact member associated with the two leftwardmost gooseneck levers 112 will be referred to respectively as contact pairs 113 and 114. The contact pairs 113 and 114 are closed in the same manner as the movable contact members 108 and stationary contact members 111 are closed.

Fig. 8 shows schematically the notches in the control cam 59 and from this figure it is apparent that in the zero position of the control cam 59 the gooseneck levers 112 in the Nos. 1, 2, 4, and 5 positions and the gooseneck lever 1'12 associated with the contact pair 114 are each permitted to pivot clockwise and thereby enable the closure of their associated contact pairs. In all other positions of the control cam 59 notches therein only present themselves opposite the gooseneck lever 112 associated with the contact pair 113, and consequently only the contact pair 113 is closed while the control cam 59 occupies all but its zero position.

Reference should now be made to the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 11. In this figure the magnets 32 and 33 are shown schematically and also the contacts 54 and 5'1 controlled by the gooseneck levers 49 as well as the contacts associated with the gooseneck levers 102 and 112 are shown. A pair of leads 116 and- 111 mitter, which determine whether the same num her, as is set up on the code drums 9I-95 will b'egenerated and transmitted or the next consecutive number will be generated and transmitted. During normal conditions the control cam 59 occupies its zero position at which time, as; is shown by Fig. 8, the contact pair H3 is open and the contact pair H4 is closed. So long as a relay H8 remains de-energized its armature I'I9 remains against a back contact I-2I and no energizing circuit can be initiated to the magnet 32, for the contact pair H3 is open when the control cam 59 occupies its zero positiQn. If a circuit is established to the relay H8. over the lead III, through a resistance I22, over a'lead, I23, through the relay H8, through aresistance I24, to negative battery, the armature; H9 is pulled up to make with a contact I26. When, the armature H9 closes against the contact I26 at this time a circuit is established from positive. battery, through a resistance I27, through the contact pair I I 4. (closed when the control cam- 59,0ccupies its zero. position), over a lead I29, through the magnet 32 to negative battery; 6 I

Upon energization; of .the magnet 32, the armature Si' is pulled up,=the pawls 37 and 38 thereby being permitted .toengage the drive ratchet 2E Will-011308111585 the, driven member, 3I

same timcjit will berecalled that the movable contacts ,I208.--and stationary contacts I II in the Ncs..'1,..2. 4, and: positions of the control cam 59, are also closed due to the notches in the zero position of the control; cam .59. Therefore while the sleeve 30 makes, its first revolution after the'energization ofthemagnet 32 a. permutation signal isinduced into a. pair of transmitting leads. I 3 I;and 1321.. The circuit over which; this signal passes extends from the lead I3l. over a lead I33 sequentially through the closedcontacts I98 and III associated with the control cam 59-, sequentially, over leads I357, I39 sequentially over leads HID-I44; through the seguentially closed contact pairs 54 and 57,, to theI lead; I321. Upon completing the rotation. of the sleeve 30, the start stop cam ll is brought into a position seas to, close its associated contacts 54 and 5''!- and thereby bridge the leads I3I and I 32. It is to be notedthat this signal, comprises. two current impulses, followed bya ,no current impulse, followed by two more current impulses,gand in accordance. with the well known Baudot code such a signal "is 'a- F ures or shift signal. When such a signal istransmitted over the line to outlying stations, each station printer is conditioned for printing upper case characters. i

Just p-rior to the completionof the first revolution of the; cam sleeve 30, the single toothed gear wheel BI advances the gears'BS, 64, and 66, a stepwhich amounts to a rotation of one-sixth of a complete revolution.- 'When these gears are so stepped the control cam 59 and. sequence cam [III are each moved from their zero to their No l position. It willbe recalled that when the control cam occupies its No. lposition a. notch therein iszopposite the .gooseneck follower II-Z associated with the contact pair H3 and there.- fore at this time the contact pair H3 is closed; Thus; a-circuit is. established to the-clutch. ma

net 32. from positive battery, through the resistance I27, through the armature H9 and con tact I2I (since the relay H8 is normallyde energizedat this time), over axlead I45, through.

the contact pair H3, over the lead I29, through the magnet 32, to negative battery. When the sequence cam IElI occupies its No. 1 position, notches in the sequence cam IllI are opposite the lugs I66 on all the gooseneck levers I02 aS-- sociatedwith the ten thousands code drum 95,, and thus the position of thesegooseneck levers IE2. is controlled, at this time, entirely by theten thousands code drum 95., As the cam sleeve 30' rotates through its secondrevolution in-respouse to the energization of themagnet 32.

of notches in the ten thousandscode drum .95 presented to the gooseneck-f-ollowers' I02, over the corresponding permutation of leads I35-I39, over the corresponding permutationof leads HIE-Hi4, through the sequentially closed contacts 54' and 51, to the lead I32. Thus a permutation signal, as. determined by the notches in.

the ten thousands code drum which present themselves opposite the associated gooseneck follower IE2, is transmitted to the line leads I31 and I32. Near the. end of the revolution of the cam sleeve 36, the single tooth 62 on the gear- 6i engages and steps the gear 63 another step of one-sixth of a revolution. This stepping of the gear 63 advances the control cam 59 and sequence cam IIJI to their No. 2 positions.

When the control cam 59 occupies its No. 2. position the contact pair H3 closes and again the magnet 32 is energized and caused; to -pull up its armature 34-, thereby releasing thersleeve 30- forv another revolution. When the sequence cam Itil occupies its No. 2 position, notches therein are opposite the follower gooseneck levers I02 associated with the thousands code drum- S I. Therefore this group of gooseneck;

levers I62 associated with the code drum 9d are controlled in accordance-with the notches in the thousands code drum fi l. As the camsleeve. 3t rotates-at this time a number indicative of the thousands digit is impressed on a circuit extending from the lead ISI, over the lead I 33,: through the permutation. of closed contacts I08. and II I as determined by the permutation of: notches in the thousands code drum 9 5, presented to the gooseneck followers I02 'associ ated with the thousands code drumil i, over the corresponding permutation of leads 35439, over the corresponding permutation of leads Mil-I44, through the corresponding permutation of. sequentially closed contacts 54 and 5 1,. to the lead I32. Dueto the fact that the singletoothed gear SI advances the control cam 59;

of the relay H8.

single toothed gear SI advances the control cam 59 and sequencecam IOI from their No. to their zero positions. In the zero position of the sequence cam IOI there are no notches therein presented to any of the gooseneck followers I62 and therefore none of the contacts I08 and III close. In the zero position of the control cam 59, as is apparent from Fig. 8, the contact pair H3 is not permitted to close and consequently the magnet 32 is not reenergized at this time to permit another revolution of the cam sleeve 30. However, in the zero position of the control cam 59, the contact pair H4 is permitted to close and thus the apparatus is conditioned for response upon the next subsequent energization When the relay H8 is again energized, the armature H9 is pulled up so as to complete a circuit, heretofore traced, to the magnet 32. H

When an impulse of current is received over the lead H8, a relay I41 and the relay H8 are both energized over the circuit extending from the lead H6, through the relay I41, over a lead I48, over the lead I23, through the relay H8,

through the resistance I24 to negative battery. I.

Due to the energization of the relay H8 a cycle is initiated for transmitting a number consisting of five digits, as has already been described. When the relay I I8 is energized by the impulse from the lead I I5, upon energization of the magnet 32, a circuit is also established to the magnet 33 from positive battery, through the resistance I21, through the armature H9 and contact I26, over the lead I28, through the contact H4, over the lead. I29, over a lead I49, through an armature I5I and contact I52 (the armature I5I being pulled up by its relay I41 at this time), over a lead I53, through the magnet 33, to negative battery. When the magnet 33 is energized in this manner it pulls 'up its armature 33 and thereby releases the shaft 69 for rotation.' It will be recalled that with each revolution of the shaft 59, the code drums 9I-95 are stepped to the next consecutive number position. At the same time that the magnet 33 is energized by the circuit extending through'the contact H4, the magnet 32 is also energized to thereby release the sleeve for rotation. As the control cam 59 occupies'its zero position at this time a Figures signal is transmitted. Just as the sleeve 30 nears the end of its first revolution the contact pair H4 opens and the contact pair H3 closes'fand if the armature H9 remains pulledup the circuits to both magnets 32 and 33 are broken at the contact pair H4. Under this condition the code drums 91-95 are stepped to the next consecutive number position and then stopped, and the sleeve 30 rotates one revolution and stops. Thereafter when the circuit to the relay H8 is broken a circuit is again established to the magnet 32, but no circuit is established to the magnet33 because in order for the armature H9 to fall back against the contact I;2I it is necessary thattherelay H8 bade-energized and when the relay H8 is deenergized the relay I41 is also deenergized. Therefore, whenever a circuit is established to the magnet 32 through the contact pair I I3 it is impossible to establish a circuit to themagnet '33 as the circuit to the magnet 33 is broken at this time at the armature I5I and contact I52.

From the above it is apparent that the magnet 33 energized to cause a stepping of the code drums '9fIE95orily when aFigures signal is being transmitted under the control of the control cam 59. Thereafter the number corresponding to the settings of the code drums 9 I- is transmitted.

If an impulse is received over either the lead H6 or H! during the transmission of a number sequence, the effect is merely to break the circuit to the magnet 32 thereby stopping transmission. However, as soon as the relay H8 is de-energized so as to permit its armature H9 to fall back and again complete the circuit to the magnet 32, the magnet I41, if energized previously, will also become de-energized at the same time and any circuit to the magnet 33 will be broken at the armature I5I and contact I52. Thus any impulse over either the lead H6 or In While a number is being transmitted merely interrupts the transmission which is resumed upon the cessation of such impulse.

From the above description it is apparent that the present invention provides an efficient numbering transmitter wherein it is possible to transmit successively the same number any number of times or consecutive numbers can be transmitted successively. It is fully within the realm of the present invention that the number of code drums may be increased or decreased, with a corresponding increase or decrease in the number of stepping positions of the control and sequence cams. Likewise it is contemplated that other identifying signals may be transmitted under the control of either the control cam or code drums. These and many other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: I

1. In an automatic telegraph transmitter having a signaling channel connected thereto, a plurality of signal generating means for generating permutative signals, each of said permutative signals representing numerical digits, means for advancing each of said signal generating means'to vary the numerical digits in consecutive numerical order, sequentially operable means for successively connecting each of the signal generating means to the signaling channel, a first circuit for operating said sequentially operable means toconnect each of said signal generating means to the signaling channel, whereby consecutively generated permutative signals represent identical multi-digit numerals, and a second circuit including means for actuating the advancing means to advance one or more of said signal generating means to generate consecutive multi-digit numerical signals consecutively, said second circuit also including the circuit for operating the sequentially operable means of the first circuit to transmit the generated multidigit numerical signal to the signalling channel.

2. In combination with a telegraph transmitter, a plurality of code drums, each of said drums being permutatively coded with numeral designations, means for stepping said code drums successively to positions representing consecutive numerals, means for successively sensing the permutative numerical designations on all of the code drums, means for transmitting a numeral signal as determined by the sensing of the permutative numerical designation on all of said code drums, a first selective circuit effective upon successive operations thereof for simultaneously initiating said steppin means and said transmitting means, whereby consecutive numeral signals. are transmitted by said transmitting means, and a second selective circuit efiective upon the operation thereoffor indicating said transmitting means, whereby a numeral signalidentical tothe last previously transmitted numeral signal transmitted.

3. In combination with a telegraphtransmitter, a plurality of codecdrums, each of said code drums vbeing permutatively coded with numeral designations, means forstepping one or more said code drumssuccessively to positions representing consecutive numerals, means for successively sensing the permutative numerical designation :on' :each of the code drums, means for transmit.-

' ting a numeral signal as determined byv the sens.-

ing-of the permutative numerical designations on each of said code drums, a first selective circuit efiective upon successive operations thereof for simultaneously initiating said stepping means and said transmitting means whereby consecutive-numeral signals are transmitted by said transmitting means, a second selective circuit effective upon the operationthereof for initiating said transmitting means, whereby a numeral signal identical to the last previously transmitted hu- 7 main signal is transmitted,-and means within the first circuit to prevent operationof said stepping means during transmission of anu'meral' signal 'by said transmitting means;

4. In a'n-umbering transmitter, a "plurality of code drums, each of said code drums being coded in accordance with the digits to 9 -inclusive,"a

transmitting means associated with each of said code drums, said code drums being designed-to control the transmission of "a number including a digit for each'o'f saidcode-drums, means for stepping said code drums successively to positionscorresponding to consecutive numbersjcam means for actuating said transmitting"means sequential-ly, a first selective circuit effective upon operation' thereof for initiating-a stepping'operatio'n bysaid stepping means and upon completion of said'stepping operation for initiating an opera- I ad-single digit of a multidigit number, means for steppingsaid code drums to enable transmission of vconsecutive numbers, a transmitting mechanism for transmitting numbers comprising digits as determined by said code drums, clutchmeans *foractuating said stepping means, another clutch means for actuating said transn'iitting means, and a pair of selective circuits for controlling both of said clutch meansfwhereby the first of said pair of circuits is effective upon selective energization 't'o'actuate both of said clutch'mea'ns and thereby cause transmission of a number nextconsecu'tive to the last previously transmitted number and the'second ofsaid pair of circuits is efiective upon selective energiz'ation only to' actuate saidlast recited clutch thereby causing transmission of a number identical to the last previdusly transmittednumber,

- 6. In a numbering transmitter; a settable code drums for controlling the transmission of numbersignals, a'plurality of contact members associatedwitheach ozfsaid code drums,

plurality of r 12 each of'said code drums being adapted to permutatably close the plurality of contact members associated therewith to thereby set up digit :per mutations on said contact numbers, means for transmitting said digit permutations set up on said contact members, means for closing the groups of contact members associated with, each of said code drums successively to enable transmission of a multidigit number by said transmitting means, means for setting said code drums to thereby vary said digit permutations on said contact members, and a selectively operable pair of circuits for initiating transmission of number signals comprising said digit permutations, one of said pair of circuits beng effective upon selection to initiate operation of said transmitting means and also for actuating said setting means,

whereby a number next consecutive to the last transmitted number is transmitted, said second circuit being effective upon selection to only ini- Jtiate operation of said transmitting means Wherestepping means and simultaneously the means'for flrst circuit. u v I *8. In an automatic telegraph transmitter, a plurality of settable means for 'generatingnumer ical permutation signals, sequentially operable actuating the sequentially operable means of the v means for separately connecting each of the sig- 'nal "generating means to a transmission line,[.a firstcontrol circuit comprising means for operat= ing the sequentially operable means whereby a numerical permutation signal as determined by the setting of all of the signal generating means is transmitted to'the transmission line, asecond control circuit comprising the means'for operating the sequentially operating means of the first circuit, and means operated by energization of the'secon'd control circuit for advancing the numerical setting of one or more of the signal generating means -to. ;set up the next consecutive nuli b 9. a numbering transmitter, a .pluralitylof code drums for setting up numerical code signals, a sequentially operatedseries, of contacts,.means actuated by the code setting ofythe drums lfOI' transmitting the numerical-coded signal to the series or contacts, acam shaft, a series ofcams mounted on the shaft .forclosingsequentially the contacts, an power shaft, a clutch interconnecting a-the cam. shaft I and the power shaft, a solenoid forope'ratingthe clutch, a control circuit responsive to antincomingimpulsefor operating the. solenoid to engage the clutch to move "the cams to sequentially close the 'contacts',- whereby Ithe coded signal set "on the drums is transmitted stepping means for advancing the numericalcode setting 0f the drums in see-increment integrals, a second clutch interconnecting 1 the power shaft and the stepping'mea'ns, a secondsolenoid for "operating the second clutch; and 'aseco 'ontrol circuit responsiverto an incoming impu lse for V 13 operating the second clutch to advance the setting of the code drums one increment, said second control circuit also including the means to operate the first solenoid to transmit the coded signal set on the drums.

10. In an automatic numbering transmitter, means for generating numerical signals, means for generating a control signals, means for stepping the signal generating means to set up consecutive numbers, sequentially operable means for transmitting the control signal and then the numerical signal to a signaling channel, a control circuit including means for actuating the sequentially operable means, and a second control circuit including means for actuating the sequentially operable means, said second circuit also including means for operating the stepping means during transmission of the control signal.

11. In an automatic numbering transmitter, means for generating a preselected control signal, a first code drum having consecutive numerical permutations thereon, means for steppin said first code drum in one step increments, a second code drum having consecutive numerical permutations thereon, means for stepping said second drum in one step increments, means connected to the first drum for preventing the stepping of said second code drum until said first drum has stepped a predetermined number of increments, sensing means for generating numerical signal in accordance with the pemutations on the code drums, a first selective control circuit including means for sequentially connecting the control signal generating means and then the sensing means associated with the first and second code drums respectively to a transmission channel, and a second selective control circuit including the sequentially operable means of the first control circuit, said circuit also including means for operating the stepping means during the transmission of the preselected control signal.

12. In an automatic numbering transmitter, a plurality of code drums positioned alongside of each other, each of said code drums having formed therein a plurality of consecutive numeri- 14 cal permutations, means arranged in groups associated with each code drum for sensing the respective numerical permutations in each code drum, means for stepping a first one of said code drums in one step increments to successively present numerical permutations to its associated group of sensing means, means for successively stepping each succeeding adjoinin code drum upon completion of a predetermined number of stepping operations by its preceding code drum to present consecutive numerical permutations to their respective associated groups of sensing means, a control signal generating means, a plurality of transmitting contacts connected to a signaling channel, a first sequentially operable means for closing the transmitting contacts, a second sequentially operable means for connecting the control signal generating means and then in subsequent order each group of sensing means to the transmitting contacts, a first selective control circuit including means for initiating repeative operation of said first sequentially operable means, said first circuit means also initiating operation of said second sequentially operable means whereby a control signal and then a multiunit numerical signal is transmitted over the signaling channel, and a second selective control circuit for initiating operation of said first and second sequentially operable means, said second circuit also including means for initiating operation of said stepping means during transmission of the control signal whereby the next consecutive multi-unit numerical signal is transmitted over said signaling channel.

RALPH H. HALVORSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,971,686 Kinkead Aug. 28, 1934 2,116,372 Weld May 3, 1938 2,193,809 Dirkes et al Mar. 19, 1940 

